Can energy be recycled?

Question

Can energy be recycled?

Answer 1

Since the beginning of time.

Vivienne has it right and to simplify it even further for the rest of you, consider the sun as the only source of energy, that energy is stored in a growing apple (for an example) and is released into our bodies as we digest the apple.

How do you define "recycle"?

Answer 2

1st law of thermodynamics energy cant be created or destroyed 2nd some energy is made unusable in every process and i believe its impossable to recapture that energy, so no it can't

Answer 3

"While matter in ecosystems can be recycled, energy cannot. Energy flows through ecosystems and must constantly be provided to plants for photosynthesis by the Sun."

I hope this helps, I wasnt sure what type of energy you are reffreing to...

Answer 4

It depends on your interpretation of the question I suppose, but I would say yes with the following as examples-

1) Thermoelectrics - if you have a heat source with a large enough delta from ambient, thermo-electrics can recapture some of that energy (it's not terribly efficient, but it's something)

2) If you have mechanical energy, you can convert it to electrical (i.e. regenerative braking on electric vehicles)

3) If you have a compressed gas, you can recapture energy from the expansion of that gas to use for another purpose.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it certainly be altered from one form to another, and therefore, recycled.

Answer 5

Maybe some specific type of energy. I've never really heard of it, though.

Answer 6

Energy can neither be created or destroyed, but it must be paid for. ;-)

Answer 7

Yes, I believe it can be argued that energy is actually recycled in a similar manner to that of paper or plastic.  

Energy changes when it is used.  If you rub your hands together you are using energy stored in your body to move your muscles.  After a short period of time your hands will get nice and warm.  This is an example of energy changing as it is used.  It goes from being kinetic energy (motion) to thermal energy (the heat you feel).  That's a vey simple explanation and no doubt somebody would say "but there is also friction involved" etc, etc.  

So, in a way, energy is sort of automatically recycled without any input from us - isn't nature great sometimes :-)  

Another example is the energy released from the sun.  It shines down on us and plants change those rays using photosynthesis to create clorophyll (the green stuff in plants).  This is the plants food source (well, one of them).  We then harvest those plants to eat (or use in manufacturing) and in effect use the stored up energy to either feed ourselves or to create usable items.  The energy stored in the plants is then released into our bodies to be used by us.

So, in a way, nature is doing its own recycling :-)